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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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All the Latest CD Reviews
Wednesday 20 November @ 09:32:45 |
 by Celeste Tabora
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Low - Trust
Pele - Enemies
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
Negativland - Death Sentence of the Polished and Structurally Weak
Virgil Shaw - Still Feeling
Interpol
“Turn On The Bright Lights” (Matador)
Progressively punk, New York’s Interpol have had people dropping names like Joy Division and The Cure when comparing this band. So what if they sound slightly similar (“PDA” and “Untitled” in particular), those are excellent bands to be stacked up against! I for one wouldn’t snub a band based on those influences. Besides, Interpol have their own sound, too. Like on “NYC,” where the song carefully progresses through cataracts of guitars against a steady and vigilant beat. Many put their hopes for the resurgence of good rock music in this band, and it’s easy to see why.
Low
“Trust” (Kranky)
This is yet another chapter in the Low book. More exalted “slow-core” songs to break your heart from this Minnesota trio. The album features live favorites like “Canada” and “A Little Argument With Myself.” Low takes everything bittersweet and puts it to music, like on “La La La Song.” Intuitively they add some forceful parts when it’s needed, reinforcing their quiet, sympathetic feeling with some visceral impact. This record seems to justify your moodiness, and is a must-have album for Low fans.
*Check out Low @ The Pantages Theater on 11/23: 7p.m.$15. All-ages. More on page 3.
Pele
“Enemies” (Polyvinyl)
The players on this album are not only good musicians, but also clever songwriters. The percussion on the album is quite sophisticated, as are the guitars: the two guitarists often play separate melodies, together and working off of each other. The songs each have their own story, though none have words. “Hooves” is calm and earthy, where “Hospital Sports” sounds more futuristic. Pele is into building a sonic impression, not following the pop formula. Pele are not for the short-attention span era, and this album will be appreciated by mature music fans.
Porcupine Tree
“In Absentia” (Lava)
Hard hitting metal confused with top 40 alternative rock is what you will find on In Abstentia. One minute they’re emulating Metallica, the next Matchbox 20. “The Sound of Muzak” has a good guitar melody going throughout the song, though like the rest of the tracks, it’s only good because of the familiar progression, parts, and riffs. The production is immaculate, but the songs themselves are quite common and forgettable.
Negativland
“Death Sentence of the Polished and Structurally Weak” (Seeland)
This is a sonic attack from Negativland to you, executed by bits and pieces of an experimental razor blade, screwdriver and wrench thrown into a computer and spit out onto disc. It’s dark, as are the photographs and collected letters, business cards, and lists compiled by the band in the accompanying booklet. A true eccentric effort with elaborate packaging, this CD is daring and impressive.
Virgil Shaw
“Still Falling” (Future Farmer)
Lonely and temperamental guitars sway along with southern-twangy vocals throughout this alt-country record. Shaw sings shamelessly, letting his raw voice shine through on “Wilderness of This World” and exposing how passionate a man can be. The lo-fi tenderness of “Wet Splashes” brings you to a place before computers monopolized music, when everything was performed with real instruments. This hearty effort is majestic without being over-produced, and humble without being shy.
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